Reborn South Africa as a police officer

Chapter 2190 The Inescapable Fate
Rommel's understanding of armored forces far exceeds that of Graziani.

The pride of the fat and bald head is justified. Although the Italian North African Army suffered heavy losses in the previous stage of combat, in Tripoli and Benghazi, the North African Army still retained a certain strength. When Rommel reorganized the German army, he smoothly integrated the North African Army. , so another armored division was obtained.

Rommel's counterattack was launched on the basis of two armored divisions and one infantry division.

Before the counterattack began, the front line remained on the line from Aguila to Marada, nearly 700 kilometers from the border between Italian North Africa and Egypt.

Rommel was very bold in using troops. He was not as timid as Graziani, and he was not confused by other factors on the battlefield. He boldly used armored forces to break through key positions of the British army, forcing the British army to move back as a whole. It will be too late to retreat in the future. The first phase of the North African campaign was re-enacted as the British divided and encircled.

This time, it was replaced by British troops after a thousand miles of defeat.

Under normal circumstances, a thousand miles is just an adjective.

In North Africa, the collapse is a fact.

In the first phase of the North African Campaign, the Nile Army advanced 800 kilometers to Italian North Africa.

While Rommel counterattacked, the German-Italian forces advanced 700 kilometers to Egypt in two weeks.

What prevented the German-Italian Allied Forces from advancing was not how powerful the Nile Army was, but the logistical supply problems of the German-Italian Allied Forces, and Rommel had to stop.

As mentioned many times above, the armored forces rely more heavily on logistical supplies than any previous army.

No matter how powerful the combat effectiveness of the tank is, without fuel, it will be a lump of iron, and no matter how talented the commander is, it is useless.

The Indian army is not good at fighting, but it is very good at escaping.

Although Rommel's army advanced quickly, it did not capture many British troops. When the war came to an end in early March, of the cities captured by the British army in the first stage, only Tobruk was still under the control of the British army.

Tobruk is located on the Mediterranean coast and is a natural deep-water port. Even if the port has been bombed, ships can still anchor smoothly in Tobruk without being affected by wind and waves. The British army stationed one division after another in Tobruk. , with a total strength of nearly 3 troops.

As mentioned earlier, Rommel's German troops totaled only 2.5 people.

The British army stationed in Tobruk has the strong protection of the Mediterranean Fleet and the Cyprus Squadron, so the British army can persist.

On March [-], Cunningham met with Arthur and Patton in Cyprus to discuss the next phase of the battle plan.

When they met, Cunningham was a little embarrassed, and Arthur and Patton were also in a heavy heart. No one thought that the British army in North Africa would lose so quickly and so badly.

"Our focus is to keep Tobruk, not only because of Tobruk's [-] troops. Tobruk is one of the most important ports on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. With Tobruk, we have the ability to fight against the German and Italian forces. The possibility of a quick counterattack, and it can greatly restrain Rommel's armored forces." Cunningham forced himself, and his words were very difficult.

In the first phase of the North African Campaign, the British government repeatedly rejected the assistance of the Second and Third Group Armies in Southern Africa, and insisted that the Nile Army complete the combat tasks.

It should be said that Welwell performed well. He fully completed the combat mission of the British army in the first phase and retired.

Now the commanders of both the enemy and us have been replaced.
The German-Italian Allied Forces were replaced by Rommel, and the British Army was replaced by Auchinleck. Before the war, Winston was looking forward to Auchinleck. Now it seems that Winston's support for Auchinleck is not enough.

Under the conditions of modern warfare, the importance of the commander has been reduced to an unprecedented level.

In previous wars, the commander's command art was more tested, and the commander's role in the army was very important.

In modern warfare, the strength of the troops is more tested. No matter how powerful a commander is, it is difficult for a millet plus a rifle to defeat an aircraft and cannon.

There is only one case in the world where millet plus rifles defeat aircraft and cannons.

Therefore, the commanding ability of the commanders in the Eastern battlefield in the World War was seriously underestimated.

If the Allied forces on the eastern battlefield had equipment like the US military, would it be Patton and MacArthur's turn to become famous?

Roque actually didn't have much talent in army command. He was able to lead the British Expeditionary Force to the final victory in the last world war not by virtue of Roque's command art, but by relying on the profound knowledge of Britain and France to kill Germany alive.

So Rock has always attached great importance to the army's weapons and equipment.

Especially new weapons.

Up to now, some people in the Royal Navy are superstitious about battleships and turn a blind eye to the role of aircraft carriers.

The German "blitzkrieg" was not miraculous in nature. It was only because the opponent was too weak that Guderian and Rommel made great achievements.

Now it is finally the turn of the Indians to taste the taste of "Blitzkrieg". To be honest, it is slightly bitter.

"The Third Army is ready to join the battle at any time. If necessary, we can launch an attack from behind Rommel and head straight for Tripoli." Patton's attitude was clear. Since you, the United Kingdom, can't do it, let us come from southern Africa.

"The Second Army is also ready. If necessary, it can provide support to Tobruk at any time." Arthur gave full play to the advantages of the Cyprus squadron. Tobruk is only 450 kilometers away from the Dodecanese Islands. to.

"My lord, General Patton, the war has reached the most critical stage. I hope we can unite as one and win the final victory together." Cunningham tried to fool Arthur and Patton.

Both Arthur and Barton frowned, seemingly thinking about how to deal with the current predicament, and neither responded to Cunningham.

The North African battlefield is far from reaching the most critical stage.

On the contrary, the relationship between Germany and Russia has reached the most critical stage.

During Pavlov's visit to Germany, Germany formulated the "Barbarossa Plan" to attack Russia, and Russia formulated the "Great Thunderstorm Plan" to attack Germany.

Both plans are now in the preparatory stage.

Mustache is mobilizing troops, preparing supplies, and preparing for an attack on Russia.

Big Beard will also hoard heavy troops on the Russian-German border. Once the time is right, Big Beard may march into Germany at any time.

So Rommel's strategic vision is really not good.

At this time, if Mustache gives Rommel too much support, it will be an opportunity for Russia.

There is another advantage of not reinforcing North Africa.

With the strength of the North African Army, it is no problem to defeat the Nile Army, but it is absolutely impossible to defeat the Southern African Army.

Within the Mediterranean Sea, southern Africa is heavily populated. The Third Army is stationed in French North Africa, the Second Army is stationed in Italian East Africa, Cyprus and Port Elizabeth, and the Fifth Army directly under Arthur has a total strength of nearly 50.

This is not counting the fleet and aviation of Cyprus.

So Mustache knows very well that once Rommel completely defeats the Nile Army, the British government will have to request the southern African army to enter Egypt to fight in order to ensure the safety of the Suez Canal.

At that time, even if the mustache gave Rommel ten armored divisions, Rommel would not be able to defeat the 50 Southern African Defense Forces.

Oh, ten armored divisions is a dream.

There is really an armored division fighting across the Mediterranean, and the long logistical supply line is enough to completely collapse Italy.

Think about how the southern African air force bombed the cities along the English Channel indiscriminately during Germany's preparations for "Operation Sea Lion".

If the Cyprus Air Force also goes all out, the Italians probably do not have the strong resilience of the Germans.

This can also explain why Rommel's armored forces can only advance 700 kilometers.

Can't push any further.

Pushing forward, the coveted Southern African Expeditionary Force will end up joining the battle.

By that time, not to mention the North African Legion, maybe the mainland of Italy will completely collapse due to the comprehensive attack in southern Africa.

What's more, the direction of Greece still needs the support of the German army.

Throughout the winter, Italy and Greece prepared for the next phase of operations.

The Italians received assistance from the Germans, and in the next stage of combat, German troops will definitely participate in the battle.

The Greeks received British assistance. To help the Greeks, Winston dispatched Australian troops from the Nile Army to Greece. This objectively caused Weaver to fail to completely annihilate the Italian North African Army and gave Rommel a chance to come back.

What is certain is that after the spring blossoms, the battle in Greece will continue. At that time, whether the Greeks can withstand the German attack is now a question that everyone is very worried about.

Arthur was worried too.

But since the Greeks choose Britain instead of southern Africa, Arthur is not in a hurry.

Are you in a hurry to let southern African soldiers bleed to defend Greece?
Arthur isn't that great yet.

"Rommel's main force has arrived in Tobruk, and Tobruk may be attacked by Rommel at any time. We need to protect Tobruk's sea supply line, and to protect the sky in Tobruk, we need to put some The tanks were sent to Tobruk to strengthen the defense, a task that only the Cyprus Squadron can do." Cunningham took a fancy to the comprehensive supply ships and landing ships of the Cyprus Squadron.

To send tanks to Tobruk, only integrated supply ships and landing ships can do it.

The Mediterranean Fleet has powerful battleships, but not a single supply ship or landing ship.

The Cyprus Squadron has two integrated supply ships and three landing ships.

So why are the British so worried?

If Southern Africa has no ambitions for the Suez Canal, why is the Cyprus Squadron equipped with so many integrated supply ships and landing ships?
Contact the Fifth Army on the island of Cyprus.

The wolf's ambition is obvious.

Arthur and Patton looked at each other, and it was fine for the Cyprus Squadron to dispatch integrated supply ships and landing ships, but the key was what bargaining chip Cunningham could come up with.

"You and the Greeks seem to have an agreement on Crete—" Since Cunningham took the initiative to find Arthur and Barton, he must have bargaining chips, but it seemed that he was generous to others.

Don't blame the southern Africans for standing idly by when the British segregated the southern Africans in front of the Suez Canal.

It is conditional to want Southern Africa to help. At this time, let alone talk about the same hatred and unity. If Cunningham is Arthur, Cunningham will also raise conditions.

The emperor is not short of hungry soldiers.

"Yes, but the Greeks took the initiative to tear up the agreement because they got the promise from London." Arthur was not angry, and just waited to see how unlucky the Greeks would be.

"We are all allies, the Greeks should not be." Cunningham's expression looked a little angry to help when he saw injustice.

"So—" Arthur still didn't know enough about the bottom line of the British.

"If the Cyprus Squadron can enter Crete, then obviously, Greece's security will be more secure." Cunningham said seriously.

Arthur nodded reservedly, agreeing with Cunningham's words.

"So the Greek government should continue to implement the agreement—" Cunningham said righteously.

"You're so right!" Arthur and Barton smiled at each other, the Greeks were going to be in trouble.

After returning to Alexandria, Cunningham, in the name of the commander-in-chief of the British Mediterranean Fleet, asked the Greek government to open Crete for the Allied forces to establish a forward base.

This is simply a bolt from the blue for the Greeks.

In this case, the Greek government made a detour, and not only had to sacrifice Crete, but also offended southern Africa.

But it won't work if you don't take it out.

It is terrible to offend southern Africa.

Offending southern Africa and the British Empire at the same time seemed even more terrifying.

Of course, this matter is not so easy. No matter how powerful Cunningham is, he is only the commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, and the British War Department and the British government are on top. It is not Cunningham's turn to decide on such a big matter as Crete.

What's more, even if Crete is opened to the southern Africans, it will not change the fact that the federal government of southern Africa has been offended. Since the Greek army can withstand the attack of the Italian army and push back to Albania, then coupled with the heroic Could it be that the Australian troops in the country can't withstand the German attack?
What's more, the Germans are preparing to attack Russia, and it is impossible to focus all their energy on Greece.

Therefore, the Greek government did not immediately agree to Cunningham's request, but informed the British government of the situation, hoping to force Cunningham to change his decision through the British government.

What the Greeks didn't expect was that for Britain, the [-] British troops besieged in Tobruk were much more important than a small island of Crete.

Not only did the British government not change Cunningham's request as the Greeks hoped, but instead suggested that the Greek government open Crete to the Cyprus squadron as soon as possible.

Even more generous, since southern Africans like Crete so much, the Greek government should be an adult and donate Crete to southern Africa, then southern Africa will definitely go all out for Greece's security.

The Greek government certainly does not accept this statement.

Go all out?

Dream it!
France donated Saint Rocque to southern Africa. When the Germans hit Saint Rocque, Southern Africa gave up Saint Rocque without firing a shot. The Greek government did not want to be taken advantage of.

Of course, the Greek government did not dare to directly reject the British request.

Therefore, the "public opinion" of Crete was used as a shield by the Greek government.

This reason of public opinion is useful to the federal government of Southern Africa, but not to the British government.

London's reply is very simple. The Greek government is responsible for the people's work in Crete, and London only looks at the results.

So amidst the entanglement of interests, with the arrival of spring, the war broke out again.

(End of this chapter)